artX Regional 2026 is now on display at Rachinger Gallery in the Eastern Hub Community Centre, where it will be open to the public until 22 May.

Now in its 18th year, the exhibition has become renowned for presenting distinguished and dynamic artworks created by artists with disability and/or who have lived experience of mental health challenges. This year’s exhibition features more than 130 artworks and celebrates diversity and inclusion across the Geelong and Barwon region, as well as south-west Victoria, including Colac, Warrnambool and Hamilton.

genU CEO Dr Chelsea Tobin officially launched the exhibition on Thursday night in front of gathered artists, family and friends and encouraged art lovers in the community to visit the exhibition over the next month.

“Please enjoy the exhibition, explore the artworks, and take your time to appreciate the immense talent on display. Many pieces are available for purchase, and buying a piece is a wonderful way to support and empower our artists,” said Dr Tobin, who was also appreciative of the support from the exhibition’s partnering sponsors “An event of this scale and importance requires collaboration, and we are incredibly grateful to our event partners Provincial Media and Prestige Jayco for their continued support.”

A panel of respected local art experts - Ren Inei, Lisa Sullivan, Janne Kearney and Jamie Daddo - judged each submission on originality, use of materials, elements of art and overall composition. Taking out first place was Sunsets by Mason Laurence from Hamilton.

“Mason’s piece stood out immediately as a technically strong and compelling work,” said Lisa Sullivan, Senior Curator at Geelong Gallery. “Mason subverts expectations by challenging traditional ideas of what a sunset looks like through dynamic colour contrasts and subtle tonal shifts.”

The judges praised the overall quality of work on display and reflected on the continued growth of the exhibition as genU approaches two decades of delivering the artX program.

“The work on display this year is proof of the impact the program is having,” said Ren Inei, co-founder and co-director of Boom Gallery and Boom Creative Spaces. “The quality is getting stronger every year, and it’s a testament to the culture genU is fostering through artX and the local art programs that support these artists.”

Among the standout works drawing strong attention from visitors was King Kong in London, a nearly two-metre-high sculpture by Peter Branch, a local artist from genU’s Cox Road art program in Corio. The playful yet ambitious piece, depicting King Kong climbing Big Ben, has been stopping viewers in their tracks.

Peter spoke openly about the positive impact the Cox Road art program has had on his life, as well as the enjoyment he finds in participating across multiple genU programs.
 
“I come to Cox Rd nearly every day to do different activities,” Peter said. “Tuesdays is art program, but I also love bowls on Thursdays and men’s club on Mondays. They are all fun.”

The scale and detail of King Kong in London reflects a year-long creative commitment.

“Sarah (staff member) had the idea to do a King Kong sculpture, and I came up with the idea for him to be climbing Big Ben,” Peter said. “It took around 12 months of Tuesday art programs to complete.”
 
That sense of pride and enjoyment is shared by staff at Cox Road, who see firsthand the positive impact art has on participants. Cox Road Art Manager Steven Lawrence says artX Regional is a highlight of the year.
 
“I enjoy working here, we have great staff and the participants really enjoy it,” Steven said. “It’s fantastic to see participants expressing their creativity and then having their work displayed at artX.”

artX regional will be on display until 22 May 2026 at Rachinger Gallery, Eastern Hub Community Centre, 285A McKillop St, East Geelong. All pieces are available for purchase at exhibition reception, alternatively, you can reach out to inclusion@genu.org.au to enquire.

Art studios represented included:

•    Art Gusto 
•    Colac Art Studio 
•    Cox Road Art Program 
•    Eastern Hub Art Studio 
•    genU Warrnambool Art Program 
•    James Street Gallery 
•    Springdale Art Class 
•    Studio 44 Hamilton

artX Regional 2026 received generous support from sponsors, including Provincial Media and Prestige Jayco.

Opening time: 9am-4pm
 
artX Regional 2026 – winners

First place – Mason Lawrence – Sunsets 
Second place – Nate Laffy – 3D Me 
Highly commended – Aliera Murphy – Ringing in My Head 
Robert Croft – Orange on red on brown 
Rosie Shaw – Fish 
Jayco Prestige Award – George Collins – Ways of the Animal 
Provincial Media Award – James Ward - Abstract